Device for feeding stock



(No Model.)

G. BLACK.

DEVICE FOR FEEDING STOCK.

No. 409,162.. Patented Aug. 20, 1889.

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UNITED STATES I ATENT QJFFICE.

GEORGE BLACK, OF ST. CHARLES, IOlVA.

DEVICE FOR FEEDING STOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,162, dated August20, 1889.

Application filed March 16, 1889. Serial No. 303,426. (No model.)

T0 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE BLACK, a citizen of theUnited States,residingat St'Charles, in the county of Madison. and State of Iowa, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Feeding Stock, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved rack or device for feeding stock;and it has for its object to provide a device of this class in which thehay or other feed,while readily accessible to the stock, shall be soprotected as to prevent the stock from feeding too fast or fromtrampling the feed under their feet, or from selecting the best andleaving the inferior portions thereof.

. IVith these ends in view the invention consists in the improvedconstruction and arrangement of parts,which will be hereinafter fullydescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a perspective viewillustrating a modifica tion. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the latter.

The same letters refer to the same parts in both figures.

A A designate a pair of low posts or supports set in the ground asuitable distance apart and provided near their upper ends with verticalslots L, in which are mounted vertically-sliding blocks M, formingbearings for the hinged or pivoted frame 0. The latter consists of a barD, provided with the trunnions F F, by which it is mounted in itsbearings in the vertically-sliding blocks M, and having a series oftransverse rods G extending outwardly, as will be seen in the drawings.The free ends or edges of the hinged frames 0 are provided with props orsupports 0, connected thereto by wire loops P, and having crotches attheir upper ends in which the outer ends of the frames C may rest, whendesired.

In front of the posts A A and at a suitable distance therefrom iserected a suitably-constructed board fence I, having a longitudinalopening .I at a suitable height from the ground.

and sufficiently large to admit the heads of the cattle or horses whomay reach the feedrack through the said opening.

The operation of this device will be readily understood from theforegoing description.

The hay or feed is placed upon the ground between the posts A A andadjoining the fence, and the pivoted frame 0 is then swung over towardthe fence, so as to rest on top of the hay. It will now be seen that:while the stock has ready access to the hay largequantities of thelatter cannot be pulled out and trampled under the feet of the stock,which is thereby compelled to eat slowly and prevented from selectingthe best and leaving the inferior portions of the feed. As the hay isbeing eaten, it is constantly kept in place by the weight of the pivotedframe 0, which automatically retains its proper position.

It is obvious that my improved feed-rack may be constructed of anydesired length, and that any desired number of the posts A may be used,each of the intermediate posts forming a support for the pivoted ends ofthe two adjoining pivoted frames.

Owing to the adjustability vertically of the frames C, the hinged endsof which are mounted in the verticallysliding blocks M, the said framesmay accommodate themselves to larger quantities of feed than couldotherwise be placed thereunder.

The advantages of my improved stock-feeding device will be readilyappreciated. Its construction is simple and inexpensive, and in feedingstock outdoors it prevents a very considerable waste of hay, whichinvariably occurs by outdoor feeding, as generally practiced. It isobvious that the principle of my invention may also be applied to stallsor boxes or indoor feeding with a like satisfactory result. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, with theposts having vertical slots, of the blocks mounted to slide verticallyin the said slots, the swinging frames mounted in the said blocks, and ain front of the posts, substantially as and for to fence or barriererected in front of the posts, the purpose herein set forth.substantially as set forth. I In testimony that I claim the foregoing as2. The combination of the posts or upmy own I have hereto affixed mysignaturein rights, the swinging frames suitably mounted presence of twowitnesses.

in the same and provided With transverse GEORGE BLACK. cross-bars, theforked props or supports suit- Witnesses:

ably attached to the free edges-of the swing M. I. BEAN,

ing frames, and the fence or barrier erected C. F. WVOOD.

